Success of Tulum International Airport

Special Report by: Mario Cruz Rodríguez
President of the Tulum Tourism Promotion Council
 
 

A new milestone in the mexican caribbean

The Mexican Caribbean has taken a significant step into the future with the inauguration of Tulum International Airport in late 2023. This achievement would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the “Tulum Tourism Promotion Council,” led by its president, Lic. Mario Cruz Rodríguez. Under his leadership, important international alliances have been forged, placing Tulum on the global map as a preferred destination and driving the impressive arrival of flights to the new airport. This early success is a direct reflection of the vision and momentum that have transformed Tulum into a key hub for global tourism.

An impressive start

According to General Javier Diego Campillo, Airport Administrator of “Felipe Carrillo Puerto,” since its opening, it has handled over 773,045 passengers as of August 23, quickly positioning it among the busiest airports in Mexico. This impressive performance has allowed Tulum to rank among the top 10 airports in the country in terms of international passenger traffic, with a 0.7% market share. These numbers reflect the enormous demand for alternative destinations within the Riviera Maya, a phenomenon that the new airport has successfully capitalized on.

Growth projections

Based on its initial performance, Tulum International Airport is projected to close the year with over 1 million passengers. As more routes are added and demand continues to grow, it is expected that by 2025, Tulum will rank among the top five airports for international passenger traffic in Mexico. The primary source markets for tourists traveling to Tulum are currently the United States and Canada. With the upcoming addition of flights from Colombia, a significant increase in visitor numbers from Latin America is anticipated. This growth underscores the strategic importance of the airport as a central node for tourism in the region.

A vital boost for the region

Tulum International Airport has proven to be much more than just transportation infrastructure; it is a catalyst for economic and tourism development in the Mexican Caribbean. Its success is due to a combination of factors: its strategic location, the growing demand for exclusive destinations, and its connectivity with the main tourist markets. As the airport continues to expand and attract more visitors, Tulum is reaffirmed as a world-class destination, ready to welcome tourists from all corners of the globe.

The efforts of the Tulum Tourism Promotion Council will continue to drive the growth of tourism demand in the destination. In the second half of the year, Lic. Mario Cruz and his entire CPTT team will attend the “JATA Tourism Expo Japan 2024” and the “IFTM Top Resa: Paris,” both in September, and the “World Travel Market 2024” in London in November, further consolidating Tulum’s presence in key international tourism markets.